Elect
Candidates 2020
The tides are turning, a new dawn is coming, change is in the air!
We are currently recruiting candidates for all levels of office.
For more information about running for office, please contact us soon.
Candidates for State Representative
House District 22 -- Michael Barden -- Buxton, Hollis, Limington
House District 37 -- John Safarik -- part of Portland -- WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN
House District 42 -- Carolyn Silvius -- part of Portland
House District 49 -- Fred Horch -- part of Brunswick
House District 135 -- Benjamin Meiklejohn -- Bar Harbor, Lamoine, Mount Desert
Candidates
The tides are turning, a new dawn is coming, change is in the air!
We are currently recruiting candidates for all levels of office.
For more information about running for office, please contact us soon.
Candidate for State Senate
Benjamin Meiklejohn
The current Senate District 7 is made up of most of Hancock County (Amherst, Aurora, Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Central Hancock Unorganized Territory, Cranberry Isles, Deer Isle, Eastbrook, Ellsworth, Franklin, Frenchboro, Hancock, Lamoine, Mariaville, Marshall Island Township, Mount Desert, Osborn, Otis, Sedgwick, Sorrento, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Surry, Swan’s Island, Tremont, Trenton, Waltham, and part of East Hancock Unorganized Territory).
Special Electiion (to fill vacancy for remainder of 2022 term): June 14, 2022
Links:
Hancock County Green Independent committee announces nomination
Ben Meiklejohn - Green Politics
Candidate for State Representative
Heather Garrold
House District 38 includes nine Waldo County towns: Brooks, Jackson, Knox, Monroe, Swanville, Thorndike, Unity, Waldo,and part of Frankfort.
Primary Election: June 14, 2022
If Garrold wins the primary election, she will be the party nominee in the November 2022 general election.
Links:
Campaign Tips
Campaign Strategy
Without a working strategy, a campaign will turn into unplanned reactions to unanticipated events. The strategy defines the aims and shows how they can be achieved. A well planned and managed campaign can be flexible as the campaign grows or shrinks. Make sure from the outset that the structure of the campaign can handle growth.
Doing Your Homework
The more we know about voters’ attitudes, desires, fears and demands, the more we know about how and when to reach them with our messages. The better we plan campaigns, the better we minimize uncertainties and tailor our messages more precisely.
Crafting Your Message
The right message is probably the most important task in a political campaign. What do we have to say? What is the key argument to convince voters in the short and precious time that they give us?
Planning
Make an internal campaign calendar which gives an overview of when to do what, from the preparation of the campaign (e.g. deadline for publication & printing) up to election day. Choose what kind of actions you want to do at strategic places and times.
Working With Volunteers
People who do volunteer work contribute a range of individual competencies: know-how, social skills and the ability to motivate others. They are opinion multipliers within a campaign. The diversity and creativity of volunteers can add to the value and success of a campaign. The broader the supporter base, the higher the campaign's credibility.
Canvassing
In a campaign, media advertising or poster and leaflet distribution are no substitute for direct contact. Door-to-door canvassing is one of the most important forms of direct marketing. It is time-consuming but it is effective. Door-to-door campaigns are always worth doing even if we are inexperienced. Visual impressions are important when directly contacting a voter. Focus not only on the verbal message but on non-verbal signals: appearance, gestures, facial expression, breathing, attitude, tone of voice, etc.
Targeting Voters
Determining which voters to communicate with and what messages to use is called ‘targeting’. A campaign can never reach all people equally. The resources available (volunteers and financial resources) are limited. We never have enough of either. Targeting helps campaigns conserve resources while maximising their impact.
Finances
The treasurer of a campaign should always be a well respected person. Get an overview of what you need and what you have. The best way to start a new budget plan is to look for an old one. What did you spend in your last campaign? What happened then? Where did you get your money from? Study and know the laws governing campaign fundraising and expenditures.
Green Youth; Green Future
As multiple election studies have shown, younger voters are more likely to consider a vote for the Green Independent Party. Engaging youth before and during elections contributes to the success of a campaign. Sharing of information, mutual consultation and a clear and detailed agreement are essential. Guide them as much as possible by providing basic training in campaigning, debating, addressing voters, etc.
Approaching the Finish Line
Reserve energy for the last week before polling day. It is only then that many voters decide who to vote for. A last-week campaign offensive is crucial.
Making a Difference
Regardless of the election results, you have made a difference. Take pride in the impact you have made on the electorate and your opponents in steering political discourse in a new direction.
The Campaign Is Never Over
Election Day is behind you. Votes have been cast, victories celebrated and defeats mourned. For the Green Independent Party, the campaign is never over. We must work harder and more relentlessly than the major parties we seek to wrestle from power. We aren't funded with corporate money. Walking the talk takes dedication and perseverance.
Preparing the Next Campaign
Regardless of the election results, focus on the next elections as soon as you’ve caught up on the sleep you’ve been craving for. Some of our elected officials have run numerous campaigns and lost, before eventually winning. Voters become more familiar with you as a candidate each time you run, and you also develop and improve your skills in reaching out to people and understanding their concerns.
The first step in preparing your next campaign is evaluating the one that just ended. Talk to others who can point you to flaws or successes that you yourself might not see.
Elected Officeholders:
Anna Trevorrow, City Council, District 1, Portland (Cumberland County) term through 2024 - pending inauguration
Scott Harriman, City Council, District 2, Lewiston (Oxford County) term through 2024
Jordan Barnett-Parker, Selectboard Member, Lincolnville (Waldo County) term through June 2022
Jennifer Billings, Selectboard Member, West Paris (Oxford County) term through June 2024
Ronald Deegan, Selectboard Member, Bryant Pond (Woodstock) (Oxford County) term ends March 2022
Jason Dolloff, Selectboard Member, Peru (Oxford County) term through July 2023
Daniel Frye, Select Board Member, Carmel (Penobscot County) term ends March 2023
Daniel Monahan, Select Board Member, Trenton (Hancock County) term ends May 2023
Jeremy Petty, Selectboard Member, Sabattus (Androscoggin County) term through November 2023
Desiree Scorcia, Selectboard Member, Boothbay (Lincoln County) term through June 2022
Anna Trevorrow, Board of Education, District 1, Portland (Cumberland County) term through 2023 - pending resignation
Desiree Bailey, School Boardmember, Wiscasett School Department (Lincoln County) term ends June 2024
Vanessa Bryant, School Boardmember, Maine School Administrative District 51, North Warmouth representative (Cumberland County), term through June 2024 (appointed July 2021)
Ashlee Chaine, School Boardmember, Maine School Administrative District 72, Fryeburg co-representative (Oxford County) term through June 2022 (appointed August 2020)
Maureen Chipullo, School Boardmember, RSU District 19, Corinna (Penobscot County), term through March 2024
Adam Harkins, School Boardmember, Southport Central School District (Lincoln County) term through April 2024
Danny Jackson, School Boardmember, RSU District 49 School Board (Lincoln County) term through June 2022
Patrick Milligan, School Boardmember, Spruce Mountain School District, Livermore Falls representative (Androscoggin County) term through June 2023
Jessica Smith, School Boardmember, RSU District 16 School Board (Androscoggin County) term through Nov 2022 (appointed August 2021)
Megan Parks, School Committee, Lewiston Public Schools (Androscoggin County) term through Nov 2023
Patricia Patnaude, School Boardmembrer, Maine School Administrative District 72 (MSAD), Stow (Oxford County) term through June 2023
Jeremy Petty, Select Board Member, Sabattus , term through Nov 2023
Sam Pfeiffle, School Boardmember, Maine School Administrative District (MSAD 15), Gray/New Gloucester term through June 2025
Diane Whalen, Regional School Unit 24 #4 Director, Sabattus (Androscoggin County) term through Nov 2024
Ryan Whitehouse, School Boardmember, East Millinocket Schools, East Millinocket (Penobscot County) term ends November 2024
Larry Whittington, School Boardmember, RSU District 56, Dixfield representative (Oxford County) term through June 2024
Christopher Henderson, Board of Directors, Hampden Water Board, Hampden (Penobscot County) term ends November 2023
Adam Morse, Board of Directors, Freeport Sewer Board, Freeport (Cumberland) term ends November 2024
more images of office holders soon to come ...
Run for office. Get elected. You could be next!
Candidates and Elected Officials
In order to fulfill our purpose -- the transformation of public policy through the implementation of the 10 Key Values -- an important thing we can do is offer voters a real choice of candidates who are not beholden to corporate interests. Do you want to have more candidates on the ballot that you can feel good about voting for -- candidates that are going to stick up for your values if elected?
Candidates you want to see on the ballot can’t get on the ballot without your help ... whether by supporting our candidates with a ballot access petition signature or a $5 Clean Elections contribution; helping us find candidates in your neighborhood that will represent the people; or if it's yourself stepping up to run for office! The power is in you to make change.
When Green Independents get elected, we realize opportunities to effect meaningful change. Here's how you can get involved: